About the Book

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect: Proper 28, 1979 Book of Common Prayer, p. 599)

It has often been said that if you want to know what the Episcopal Church believes theologically, you need to listen to the Episcopal Church at prayer. The Book of Common Prayer, with its rites, prayers, catechism, calendar (commemorations, lectionary, and wealth of tradition), carries the weight of theological understanding for the church.

If the Prayer Book is the cornerstone of Anglican theology, then it makes sense to see the prayer book as the cornerstone for Christian education at church, home and daily life. This third edition of a classical resource first published in 1983 is now compatible with the Revised Common Lectionary. It offers current educational pedagogy and new resources for living out the Sunday readings in worship, education settings and the home.

The 1979 Book of Common Prayer is very clear with regards to the purpose of education and formation. Its purpose is directly prayed for every Sunday during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. It is found in all of the post-communion prayers, as well as the catechism section on ministry. It is even found in the promises we make every time our worship includes a baptism. We pray, as we believe, that each baptized member – no matter what age or stage – is called to engage in active ministry and mission, to be “sent out to do the work God has given us to do.” That calling is the purpose of education and formation.